Split Rock Bar and Cafe

Last nights Campground/Fiesta
Hey Dad, are these our relatives
This is our campground at the Alcova reservoir, formed by damming the North platte before it turns towards Colorado. A fitting farewell to a faithful friend.

Good Morning All

Good thing I had the 3 weeks biking practice before Neil arrived. On the first hill he gradually faded into a distant dot until later when I arrived gasping at the top, he was reclining and resting. Wow to youth.

We had a late start on Wednesday after assembling his bike, mailing back his extras and eating etc. We ended up at the Alcova Reservoir at dinner where we descended an enormous distance through the parched hills to a jewel-like lake where we plunged and cooled. That night I left the fly off my tent so there was only screen between me and the Milky Way - spectacular - that is until the moon rose at 2 AM and it was like there was a light on in the room.

Thursday was very bad for me. First we went 68 miles into a steady headwind with serious amounts of climbing through the Rattlesnake Range. This was just too much for me and although I drafted behind Neil whenever the wind was favourable, during the night that old shoulder complaint of mine came back with a vengeance and I spent a mostly sleepless night.

We got to Jeffrey City (Pop 50) about 6:30 and asked about camping. "Go across the street" the bartender advised. "Byron at the Monking Bird Pottery Studio will let you camp and won't charge you." So over we went. Turns out it was Byron's 40th birthday and he and a few chums were tailgate bbq'ing with a tub of iced beer. The fun was to sit on the roof of the building and try to pitch empties into the tiny opening of an oil drum. Right. Pass on that, but fun to sit and talk.

Today begins well. The bar opened at 6 for breakfast which is good since it is the only place until Lander where we'll spend the night (59 miles). Also we drop 1100 feet after SweetWater Junction AND the wind is from the east. We'll motel tonight and get a kit to patch my leaky air mattress (oh these bones hate the cold cold ground) and aspirin for my shoulder.

lots of love

Laurence

ps I'm doing this over breakfast so haven't time to read comments n(if any)). Will later now we have Neil's laptop.